Russia calls on countries to avoid actions that will increase Middle East tensions

Shortly after Syria and Hezbollah accused Israel of attacking an air base in Damascus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated: “Israel and other countries need to avoid actions that will increase the tensions in the region.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov harshly condemned the airstrike that was allegedly carried out by Israel early this morning (Thursday) in Damascus, Syria. “Israel and other countries need to avoid actions that will increase the tensions in the region,” he said.

During a phone conversation that Peskov conducted with reporters, he stated that he condemns the violation of Syria’s sovereignty and called on the countries in the region to avoid violating it again. “There’s no way to justify this violation of sovereignty,” he said. “This helps the terrorism, ISIS and Al-Nusra Front.” He added that for the last few months, the Russian military has been in constant contact with the Israeli army and air force.

Photo Credit: Reuters/Channel 2 News

According to Arab news agencies, loud explosions were heard near Damascus International Airport at around 4:00 AM this morning. The Lebanese news agency Al-Manar, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, claimed that an Israeli airstrike led to the explosions. According to the reports, no injuries were caused. However, fuel tanks and an ammunition arsenal used by the Syrian Army, Iran and Hezbollah were damaged.

A few hours later, Syria confirmed that an attack was carried out in Damascus and accused Israel of conducting it. “Israeli aggression took place early this morning at one of the military posts located southwest of Damascus International Airport,” a military source in the Assad regime told the Syrian news agency SANA.